Meet Brittney Smith | Sculptor and Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittney Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittney, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Many factors drove me to start Clay and Create, but the main factor was a simple question. When I was in Dental school, one of my classmates asked me, “What would you be if you weren’t going to be a dentist?”. Without even a slight hesitation, I said, “An artist”. This classmate made me realize that I shouldn’t have been able to answer that question and that I should be doing what I love. After weeks of contemplating whether I should drop out of Dental School, I decided to take a leap of faith in January. On January 19, 2023, I started my company, Clay and Create, which has been the best decision I have ever made.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I started Clay and Create, I started it off with three core values in mind. These values are to get the community involved, inspire others, and create the unimaginable. My company’s core values inspire every artwork and decision I make. I have made many difficult decisions to be where I am today. People always say that the most challenging choice is to choose to start. Although this choice isn’t easy, I believe every part of starting a business is “hard” and doesn’t get “easier”. Through this journey, I have learned that each difficult decision you encounter is so that you can battle your “hard” easier. What I mean by this is that you grow from everything you overcome and get to use your knowledge to make future hard decisions easier. I wake up with the privilege to choose my hard every day. I get the choice to wake up early in the morning and spend countless days and nights in the studio, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Overcoming all of my past hards over the last nine months, has brought me and my studio up to Denver. I look forward to overcoming all my future hardships and opportunities and continuing to create the unimaginable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am native to Colorado Springs and love my hometown so much! When people come to visit, I always tell them to start their morning by going to Dutch Bros for coffee and La Casita for a breakfast burrito. After breakfast, I would go to Garden of The Gods and then to the penny arcade in Manitou. For lunch, I would go to Monse’s Pupuseria in Old Colorado and take it to gold camp road for a picnic under Hellen Hunt Falls. After the picnic and some hiking, I would drive Downtown to COATI for dinner and some drinks. I would end my night dancing my heart away at Cowboys nightclub.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Over the past Nine months, I have had much support from not only my friends and family but my community as well. The support from the community has been an unreal experience. I am so thankful for every person I have encountered along the way. One company in particular has taken me under their wing. That company is Void Studios, here in Denver, Colorado. Over the past four months, Void Studios has been molding me into the designer I have only dreamt about becoming. I wouldn’t be the designer I am today without their mentorship, kindness, and support.

My last shoutouts go to my high school ceramic teacher, Jonny O’Lonergan, and my Grandma, Eileen Lipscomb. These two people have believed in my dreams and aspirations every step of the way. I chose the name of my company in dedication to starting my sculpting journey with Jonny’O. My brand color, Orange, is a symbol dedicated to my Grandma because it is her favorite color and she always reminds me to be different from everyone else.

Thank you to all who have supported me! I couldn’t be here without you.

Website: Clayandcreate.com

Instagram: Clay_and_Create

Facebook: Clay_and_create

Image Credits
Bill Murf, JJ Constantine,